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DECEMBER 2024 YOUR MEDICARE PLAN PRO
THE POWER OF 1% BETTER How I Stick to My New Year’s Resolutions As we approach the New Year, many of us will participate in the age-old tradition of making resolutions. I’m always setting new goals and trying to improve every year. So, when Dec. 31 arrives, I, too, will have a to-do list for 2025. It’s no secret that resolutions don’t always stick past January. When you head to the gym in the days after New Year’s Eve, it’s bustling with people working to meet their weight loss goals (a common resolution). But by the time February comes around, it’s usually just the regular gym-goers lifting weights. Over the years, I’ve found what works for me to accomplish my goals and transform my resolutions into real growth. The new year is a special time for my family. Not only do we plot out our goals, but it’s also one of my daughter’s birthdays. We always celebrate her big day at midnight on New Year’s Eve, even though she’s older now and probably prefers to do her own thing. I love reminding her everyone celebrates her birthday when the clock strikes 12. The dual celebrations make it a night I look forward to all year. For my yearly aspirations, I strive to grow my business and improve in all the central areas of my life — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You don’t need to overwhelm yourself with lofty plans to change every aspect of yourself. You can accomplish great things by simply trying to be a little better every day. Accountability has been a game-changer for me in keeping my resolutions. I love having a coach, mentor, or friend who helps me remain focused and committed to my goals. I’ve also found reminders to be helpful. I write down my resolutions and build reminders into my phone calendar so I’m constantly checking in on my progress. Sometimes, I set a deadline to lose
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20 pounds or maybe gain new clients. This helps me visualize what it will take to meet my goals. I also add physical reminders like a Post-it note on my computer. One year, I wanted to be more positive, so I had a little note with an inspirational quote and a reminder to keep looking on the bright side. The road to achieving your resolution may include a few disappointments. Sometimes, I struggle a little when I don’t achieve what I want to, and that feeling
can outweigh the pride I feel for the goals I did reach. I can’t help but think about when my team won the state championship in my senior year of high school. We wanted it the whole year, and it was an incredible feeling, but the thought of the loss the year before was so strong, a significant motivator that drove us to work harder to win. In the end, what matters most is striving to improve ourselves. Interestingly, I didn’t set New Year’s Resolutions until I started my business. Like many people, my focus initially was to lose weight every year. Over the last few years, my resolutions have become more business-oriented and internal, like developing a more positive mindset. Every year, I try to be at least 1% better than I was the year before because incremental change is a victory. As we enter 2025, I encourage you to keep your resolutions simple, focused, and achievable. By accomplishing small goals, we grow in big ways. Remember, being just 1% better every day, or even for the whole year, is a win for self-improvement. I wish you all a happy New Year. When the clock strikes 12, you can say a little “Happy Birthday” to my daughter, too.
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CARDINAL COCOA FROSTY GARLAND GENEROSITY MENORAH
MITTENS PEPPERMINT PINECONES SNUGGLE UNITY YULE
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How a Kitten Helped Samson Unleash His Inner Pup A PURR-FECT MATCH Golden retriever Samson takes his job as a medical service response dog very seriously. For owner Lea Hendy, it quickly became apparent when the loveable giant didn’t know how to dog. On their days at the dog park, Samson was the odd man out, sitting alone in the corner while the other pups played. It seemed like he couldn’t turn off work mode or form bonds with other dogs.
other dogs, she was determined to find a way to bring him out of his shell. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a cat would change everything. While they were out traveling, Samson spotted a kitten in the window of a building and immediately wanted to play. It was an “aha!” moment that Samson could indeed make deep bonds; it just had to be with the right animal. A couple of months later, they brought home a tiny kitten named Cleo, and the instant friendship surprised everyone. Lea said they were never expecting him to be so excited about his new friend, and the two have been inseparable since. “It was so heartwarming to see him come out of his shell and immediately form a connection with Cleo,” Lea said. Now, the pair spend every moment they can together, playing, napping, and enjoying each other’s company. Cleo has become an avid adventurer since the family started taking her on hikes. When the kitty tires out, she takes a ride on her older brother Samson. Now, thousands of people worldwide watch their friendship and adventures on this odd couple’s Instagram page @calvin.andco.
Samson joined Lea’s family to train as a service dog. When she noticed his seeming lack of social skills with
LUSCIOUS LEMON BARS
Ingredients • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup powdered sugar • 1 cup butter, softened • 4 large eggs • 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice • 2 tbsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 tsp baking powder • 1/4 tsp salt
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and powdered sugar. 3. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 4. Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. 5. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt. Pour over crust. 6. Bake for 25 minutes or until set. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
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Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
YOUR MEDICARE PLAN PRO 3521 E. Brown Rd., Suite 101 • Mesa, AZ 85213 MedicareInsuranceAZ.com • 480-442-9498
Jesse Goodman
Stephanie Marino
INSIDE
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Small Wins Can Lead to Big Growth
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Samson and Cleo’s Tail-Wagging Tale Exquisite Lemon Bars
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Mix, Measure, and Make Memories
WHISKING UP FUN Festive Family Kitchen Adventures
Kid-proof your meal prep. Before taking children on a culinary journey, check that their countertop travels won’t endanger them. It’s obviously a big no-no to rest a sharp knife on a cutting board that small hands can reach, but little things like toothpicks can also pose a risk. If your small assistant is old enough to cut up ingredients, a plastic utensil will be less painful than steel if the blade misses its mark. Keep family flavors flowing. Want to give your family a holiday surprise they’ll never forget? Present them with a meal based on one of their famous recipes that your grandkid(s) helped prepare! Holiday gatherings are great for
Could your grandchild be a future celebrity chef or a world-class baker in waiting? Help transform your kiddos into tiny tastemakers by following these three simple tips. Use your space as a skill zone. It takes more than just a love of food to make delicious meals and treats, as cooking and baking put all five senses to the test. Helping in the kitchen enables small children to heighten their awareness of smells, tastes, sounds, and textures while learning new words. Having them measure ingredients and pour them into bowls is an easy way to refine their motor skills, and your guidance behind the counter will encourage them to follow directions.
sharing the details and delicacies that shaped your family’s history — and a wonderful opportunity to pass down those special traditions to the next generation. With the holidays upon us, now is a perfect time to introduce little ones to the joys of baking and cooking by turning your kitchen into a safe space for learning and bonding.
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